Justice Verma attacks former CJI

New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma on Saturday questioned the continunance of K G Balakrishnan as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman when his predecessor was not appointed to that post because he faced allegations of corruption.
"See the somersault. (Y K) Sabharwal was not
considered fit for NHRC chairmanship. Now Balakrishnan is
holding the post. The nature of allegations against Sabharwal
was much the same," Justice Verma said at a seminar on
Judicial Conduct and Accountability Bill.
He said both of them were facing identical
allegations that their kith and kin made assets during their
tenure as CJI, head of the judicial system of the country, and
in such cases rule of law has the answer that "if the material
on record are sufficient to give rise to suspicion why can an
FIR (first information report) not be filed against them".
Justice Verma said the allegations of corruption
against the former CJIs have brought the entire institution
under suspicion.
"Unless the few persons, facing allegations, are
cleared or are punished, if proved guilty, the entire
community would be questioned," he said.
Justice Balakrishnan has been facing criticism over
allegations that members of his family have amassed wealth
disproportionate to their known sources of income while he was
the CJI.